Pick Me Up!

I caught my breath.

Kishasha’s eyes were bloodshot, her eyebrows bristled, and her sharp claws peaked out.

Her vertically slit eyes gleamed.

‘I could die with one wrong move.’

A tingling sensation spread across my skin.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and gripped the hilt of my sword.

Kishasha’s nails shone chillingly.

“Are you sure you want to provoke me this much?”

“Bring it on.”

“As you wish!”

In an instant, Kishasha’s entire body seemed to press against the floor, and then she was rushing towards me in no time.

Her nails swiped at my heart. A graze would lead to near death, a direct hit would be instant death. Feeling the adrenaline rush through my body, I twirled my sword.

Boom!

I forced my body, which was trying to back away, to hold its ground.

Kishasha continued with her next attack as if she had anticipated it. Her movements were still unpredictable as if she was leaping in every direction. However.

Clang! Clang Clang!

Sparks flew. The blade of Bifrost repelled her nails without fail.

Kicks, knees, elbows, I blocked and repelled them all. They were too fast to see properly, but I was familiar with this kind of movement. I’ve fought countless times against people faster than her.

‘Minimize movements.’

By observing the start of a movement, I could predict the point of impact.

This was the ‘domain’ that Ridigion had taught me.

‘Move lightly. With the minimum necessary motion.’

The sword trembled.

‘Absorb the impact.’

Clatter Clatter Clang!

A relentless barrage of ten consecutive strikes didn’t leave a single mark on me.

Kishasha leaped to the other side to continue her assault, dazzling me with sudden stops and accelerations, all the while scattering her blade-like claws.

‘Hmm.’

I drew my dagger with my left hand.

I wasn’t used to fighting against dual blades, but it wasn’t impossible.

I deflected the claws targeting my heart and neck with the dagger, swinging my sword with my right hand.

“……?!”

Kishasha hastily retreated, but the blade grazed her white forearm, leaving a cut from which red blood flowed. A strike targeting the flow of her movements.

Kishasha bit down on her claws and shook her hand.

“Were you hiding your strength?”

“I never hid it.”

“Hmph!”

Kishasha kicked off a tree stump and lunged at me from the air.

I planted my feet firmly on the ground.

‘At this point.’

I couldn’t afford to miss it.

This battle revealed that Kishasha’s initial power level was among the top of the four-star category. Moreover, her combat strength hasn’t faded at all since reaching mid-stage.

‘Her talent is also top-tier.’

It’s regrettable.

If both of us had grown normally, I would have been at a disadvantage.

But I can be a bit underhanded.

‘Master, the most important thing in a duel is.’

Ridigion’s voice echoed in my head.

I know.

‘Observe the opponent.’

Kishasha’s form blurred, aiming her claws at my ankles.

I stepped back and swung my sword. Kishasha rotated in the air.

I swung again. And again.

‘Left. Left. Right. Up. Up. Center.’

There’s no need to observe the entire movement.

If I can just scan the core movements, I can handle any speed.

Therefore.

“Urgh!”

[‘Kishasha (★★★★)’ has entered a bleeding state. Her health will decrease over time.]

Kishasha staggered back.

I flicked my sword, scattering droplets of blood into the darkness.

“You’ve become much stronger since then.”

“I’ve been through a lot.”

My mindset has also changed a bit.

I smiled and threw my dagger away.

Kishasha deflected it as if it was nothing.

‘I guess the dagger has served its purpose.’

Well, I won’t need it anymore.

I let my sword hang at my side.

‘Transform.’

Click.

With a mechanical sound, the blade of Bifrost extended.

It transformed into a greatsword. It’s hefty weight. I gripped the sword handle shorter.

“You are…”

Before Kishasha could finish, I charged in.

The greatsword moved diagonally upwards.

Whoosh!

The air screamed as if being torn apart.

I pulled the sword back and then turned around, connecting a second horizontal slash.

Bang!

Kishasha’s body flew far away, crashing into a thicket.

She managed to block somehow, but it seemed she couldn’t handle the impact.

‘It’s a loss.’

Killing Kishasha would be a waste.

She’s the only one from the waiting room worth playing with.

Jenna and Velkist are following, but they’re not there yet.

I aimed my sword at the thicket.

“It’s not over yet, is it?”

Rustle.

The thicket stirred.

The shadow writhed.

[Unique skill, Beast Transformation activated!]

[‘Kishasha (★★★★)’ transforms!]

“Kraaang!”

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!